Family Matters: A study of institutional childcare in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union

An overview of the use of institutional care in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, with recommendations for preventative services and family based care alternative. This document – primarily aimed at child welfare policy makers and researchers – provides a useful summary of the reasons why children end up in care, the reliance on the use of institutions, and the poor conditions associated with institutional care. It looks at the services required to prevent children entering care unnecessarily, and options for family based care and associated support services. It notes serious concerns with inter-country adoption. While the information in this study is globally relevant, the text focuses on Romania, Central and Eastern European, and the former Soviet Union.